New Members of the Chamber

ARABICSI (Arabic Services International)

Rue Walcourt 150D, 1070 Brussels

Arabic Services International, is the sole agency dedicated to the promotion of Arabic-related activities in various fields. We offer a wide range of services including interpretation, translation, medical tourism, Arabic courses, event organizing and international limousine service. Building on our international experience, ARABICSI guarantees you a reliable and rigorous result.

Q8

Brusselstraat 59 Bus 1, B-2018 Antwerpen

Kuwait Petroleum International (known by our trademark Q8)’s main focus is to refine and market fuel, lubricants and other various petroleum derivatives globally. We are the international subsidiary of. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, which is recognized as one of the world’s top ten energy conglomerate.

Economic News

Liège: A Major Healthcare Hub

Liège does not stop attracting foreign biotech or medical companies in search of a favorable environment to prosper.

Liège currently has 72 life science companies that create more than a hundred new jobs a year.

Marc Foidart, deputy director of Meusinvest (public investment fund of Liège) underlined that the region hosts every two months a new biotech or medtech company. "which means from 5 to 7 companies a year over the last 5 years.

The health sciences are becoming the most important sector in Meusinvest's investments ".

Liège has indeed become a gateway to the internationalization of these companies besides it becomes attractive for other companies that develop skills in the areas of cardiology, neuroscience, inflammatory diseases ...

Brussels Boost the future economy

The economy of Brussels' city is dominated by activities within the service and public service industries.

The Brussels Capital Region accounts for nearly 9% of all exports from Belgium, and service industries add another 9%. The foremost areas of production have been electronics, chemicals, printing, publishing, clothing, telecommunications, aircraft construction, and the food industry.

Brussels is known as the Capital of the European Union and is home to many national and multinational companies. There are approximately 50,000 businesses, of which around 2200 are foreign. This number is constantly increasing and can well explain the role of Brussels in the European subcontinent.

Brussels holds more than 1,000 business conferences annually, making it the fourth most popular conference city in Europe. It is rated as the seventh most important financial center in the world. The city’s infrastructure is very favorable in terms of starting up a new business.

About 60% of foreign companies have their headquarters in Brussels which include well-known companies.

Foreign investment in Flanders on the rise

€2.08 billion invested, 215 projects & 5,377 new jobs: 2017 was a strong year for foreign investment in Flanders, according to the most recent data from Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT).

The small dip in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2016 caused by socio-economic and geopolitical circumstances turned out to be only temporary, as last year companies and investors found their way back to Flanders.

In 2017, job creation reached the highest level in 15 years.

Based on the number of investment projects and the corresponding job creation, it appears that foreign companies mainly invested in the following 3 activities: production - 71 projects (33.02%) accounted for 1,832 extra jobs (34.07%) in Flanders.

Algeria Economic Outlook

Algeria aims to amend its energy law in 2018 as it plans to improve contract terms to attract needed foreign investment, the economy seems to have recovered somewhat in the last quarter of 2017 from the third quarter’s bleak performance, thanks to the rally in energy prices and to a recovery in the underdeveloped non-oil sector.

Estimates from the Central Bank put growth at 2.2% for 2017. Nevertheless, state-owned oil company Sonatrach recently announced USD 56 billion of investment over the next five years.

The government has started consultations with foreign partners in an attempt to improve the investment climate and remove hurdles to investment.

Both the Trust Law and Foundations Law are in line with the previous recommendations of the DIFC’s Wealth Management Working Group and follow extensive consultation with industry professionals and family business networks both regionally and globally.

In addition to serving families in their wealth and succession planning, the laws will be serve the financial services community in structured financing transactions in creating insolvency remote and orphan structures.

Investcorp to launch $100m fund for Omani pension funds

The Opportunities Fund will focus on private equity investments in mid-sized companies in the US and Europe.

Global investment firm Investcorp will launch a $100m fund dedicated to Oman’s pension funds, the Ministry of Defence Pension Fund announced at an event in Muscat.

The Opportunities Fund will focus on private equity investments in mid-sized companies, across a number of sectors, in the US and Europe.

Investcorp executive chairman Mohammed Alardhi said Oman is an important market for the firm due to growth potential in its economy.

SAUDI ARABIA: SASO CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM UPDATE 2

Relative to the implementation of the Saudi Product Safety Program ‘SALEEM* Project’, please be informed that the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) is putting into effect the implementation of several Technical Regulations governing specific products that are to be distributed to the Saudi market...

Chamber News and Recent Activities

8th Arab Belgian Diplomatic Business Workshop

15 December 2017

The now renowned « Diplomatic Business Workshop » organized for the 8th consecutive year by the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Linklaters, was held on Friday 15 December 2017.

Through this workshop the ABLCC organized a networking lunch started with a brief speech of HE.Mr. Johan Verkammen Director Middle East & North Africa- foreign Affairs, shedding light that this economic diplomacy should be as efficient and useful as possible for our companies.

Explaining the importance of summarizing our action by referring to the 4 “I’s”: to Inform, to Introduce, to Intervene and to promote the Image of Belgium.

« We encourage our embassies and consulates abroad to feed us with relevant economic information, which is dispatched to our regional bodies and to our companies.

Mentioning the application called “Trade4U” which is run by the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency and which provides economic information on your smartphone.

Reiterating that Trade missions are an important tool, in that respect one of the highlights in 2018 will be the trade missions lead by Her Highness Princess Astrid in Morocco, in Egypt in the spring, and many more.

We all work towards the same goal: enhance our foreign trade relations and defend the interests of our companies.

He underlined the Efficient effort of the Arab Belgian Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce for this successful gathering, more than 110 participants each year, the workshop makes perfectly clear the importance of Arab-Belgian relations and its supporting role for Belgian companies.

And in the frame of the 40th anniversary of the Chamber in 2018, Mr. Ghassan Ejjeh (Senior vice-president) BESIX, reporting his long relation with the Chamber extended for 50 years, and its evolution.

ABLCC hosts Kuwait Forum to boost trade, economic ties with Belgium

19 February 2018

High-ranking Kuwaiti diplomats and economic officials presented tremendous opportunities and facilities available for Belgian entrepreneurs to do business in Kuwait, at a conference held in Brussels Monday. The Kuwait Economic Forum (Kuwait Vision 2035) was organized by the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC) in collaboration with the Embassy of Kuwait in Brussels and with Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA).

Mr. Qaisar Hijazin, Secretary General of ABLCC, in his welcome remarks said that the forum represents a good occasion for Belgian entrepreneurs to find out more about the various business opportunities offered by Kuwait and to confirm the place of Kuwait as a commercial and financial center. He underlined the important role of Kuwait to preserve stability in the region.

In turn, Kuwait's Ambassador to Belgium, EU, NATO and Luxembourg, Jassem Al-Budaiwi, in his welcome address said "Kuwait is in the best position of major oil exporting nations to have a balanced budget. "This is mainly due to our fiscal reforms, diversification, and our investment income. Kuwait's financial buffers have allowed the country to pursue an expansionary budget this year," he said. "Perhaps the best indication of Kuwait's fiscal health is our sovereign credit rating where major credit agencies have rated Kuwait positively," he noted.

Kuwait Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Amal Al-Hamad, in her brief remarks, said "this is an opportunity for Belgian and European companies to have more in-depth knowledge of what is available as investments in Kuwait." She highlighted the importance of the forthcoming Kuwait Investment Forum, which will be on 20 and 21 March, under the patronage of His Highness the Amir. She noted that already 300 companies have registered to attend this forum in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Cecile Jodogne, state secretary for the Brussels-Capital Region, in charge for foreign trade, in her keynote speech, underlined the importance Belgium attaches to its relations with Kuwait noting the Belgium established its embassy in Kuwait in 1965. "Since then we have maintained a dynamic political and economic relations," she said and praised Kuwait's role as mediator in the region. "I would like to take the occasion to praise Kuwait in its mediator efforts and setting up a dialogue with its neighbors," she said. Jodogne also noted the increased exchange of visits by officials and business community of both countries as a sign of growing partnership between the two friendly countries. "The increase in trade ties between Belgium and Kuwait will be beneficial for all of us present here. All the Belgian participants in this Forum are excited about Kuwait's 2035 vision" she stressed.

Furthermore, Majed Al-Ajeel, Chairman of Kuwait Banking Association and Chairman of the Burgan Bank presented the opportunities and facilities offered by Kuwait's banking sector to traders and businessmen. He mentioned figures and statistics which shows that Kuwait has a solid banking sector and a strong regulatory environment and said that the Kuwait banking sector has invested billions of dollars in major projects in the country.

Khaled Mahdi, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, gave a detailed overall view of Kuwait's National Development Plan and spoke about future major economy projects in the country related with the 2035 vision. "Kuwait is taking important steps towards sustainability under a wise leadership," he stressed.

Mohammad Yaqoub, Assistant Director General for business development at KDIPA, also spoke about the National Development Plan and projects that KDIPA is working on to achieve 2035 vision. He also focused on the leading role played by KDIPA to strengthen the private sector and invited international companies to invest in projects in Kuwait noting that the country has a transparent legal system and a young and highly educated population. "We are the gate for Iraq, Turkey and Iran," he stressed.

Fadhel Al-Faraj Managing Director for Kuwait Petroleum in Northwest Europe, noted that Kuwait Petroleum Corporation is one of the world's largest integrated oil conglomerates and runs 8 subsidiaries in exploration and production, downstream, and transportation. He noted that KPC's international arm, KPI, has three offices in Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg and plans to maintain its strengthened position in the Benelux market focussing on the growth and quality of its networks.

Muthanna Al-Saleh, head of markets sector at Kuwait Capitals Markets Authority (CMA) in his speech gave an overview of CMA activities and noted that it is the oldest in the region. He said Kuwait Stock Exchange was the first exchange in the region which was established in 1983. Al-Saleh added that CMA has a robust legal and regulatory framework and enhances investor protection. He said that Boursa Kuwait (BK) is the only exchange in Kuwait and 177 companies are listed in BK. Among key CMA objectives are to attract more foreign and institutional investors to the market and enhance the efficiency of the overall market infrastructure, he said. The forum concluded with a lively question and answer session which showed the keen interest of Belgian businessmen to build partnerships in Kuwait.

Qatar Chamber Business Delegation

5 March 2018

On the 5th of March 2018, The Qatar Chamber and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, along with the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Brussels, and the ABLCC, organized B2B meetings with more than 40 Qatari Businessmen attending the event, thanks to the collaboration of the Arab Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, more than 40 Belgian enterprises responded to the invitation from various sectors, and showed a genuine interest for the Qatari Delegation, to explore potential business partnerships and opportunities between the two Countries.

Secretary General, Mr. Qaisar Hijazin expressed the great pleasure to welcome this important delegation and stressed on the good initiative and the precious collaboration of the Chamber of Qatar, mentioning that trade relations between the two countries amounted to 1.5 Billion Euro in 2015, and 900 Million Euro in 2016.

From his side, Mr. Ali Al Misnad, member of the board of the Chamber of Qatar, underlined the very dynamic and impressive development of Qatar and the diversified economy, inviting the Belgian partners to join the game and to collaborate with Qatari private sector and to share the Belgian expertise and know-how.

To bring this day to a close, B2B meetings was followed by a networking dinner that enabled participants from both sides to share experiences and discuss potential areas of cooperation in developing closer relations.

Egyptian Belgian Business Forum

13 March 2018

On the occasion of the visit of the Egyptian-Belgian Business Association (EBBA) Delegation, to belgium. The Arab-Belgian- Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, along with the Embassy of Egypt in Brussels, organized a Business Seminar titled “Egypt and Belgium, endless opportunities for business synergies”, on Tuesday 13th of March 2018, in the hotel le Châtelain, Brussels.

On this occasion, the ABLCC organized a Business Seminar, followed by a lunch in presence of the delegation and B2B meetings, in this year’s edition, around 30 Egyptian Businessmen and more than 40 Belgian companies took part.

Secretary General, Mr. Qaisar Hijazin in his welcome remarks said that the forum represents a good occasion for Belgian entrepreneurs to find out more about the various business opportunities offered by Egypt, expressed the great pleasure to welcome this important delegation for the eighth time, stressing on the good initiative and the precious collaboration of the Commercial Office-the Embassy of Egypt , furthermore he underlined the important role of Egypt as a leading Economy in the region.

Mr. Yahia Al wathik Bellah (Minister Plenipotentiary) Commercial Office-the Embassy of Egypt, underlined the importance of the new investment law that guarantees a number of protections for international investors to encourage new development in Egypt, the law contains policies to encourage significant and targeted investments.

H.E. Ambassador of Egypt to Belgium, Mr. Khaled El Bakly, stressed on the long history of friendship and collaboration between Egypt and Belgium, mentioning that before end of April a memorandum of Understanding will be signed between Egypt and EU in the framework of the preparation of Egypt to become an Energy hub for Mediterranean.

His Excellency underlined that the biggest solar station in the Middle east in build in Egypt, "The Country is taking important steps towards sustainability under a wise leadership," he stressed.

Furthermore Mr. Mohamed Youssef - GAFI (General Authority for Investment and Free Zones), presented the opportunities and facilities offered by Egypt to traders and businessmen, he gave a detailed overall view about the future major economy projects in the country.

Mr. Rafik Attia - Chairman of EBBA (Egyptian Belgian Business Association): Egyptian Belgian cooperation from a business perspective, he shed the light that Egypt have Money and infrastructure and need just to improve the research with expertise and know how, so he invited all the interested companies in various sectors to join the game.

The end of the seminar was marked by two testimonials from two Belgian companies in Egypt, Kellogs represented by Mr. Marco Montanaro – Director Public Affairs Europe, and Tractebel Engineering represented by Mr. Sven Goethals – Sales Manager.

Chamber Upcoming Events

Tunisian-Belgian Business Forum

Under the high patronage of Mr. Youssef Chahed Head of Government of Tunisia. 26 Avril 2018

Jordan / Lebanon - Multisectoral Economic Mission

May 7-12, 2018

Beirut-Amman: 2 capitals in the Middle East in 6 days to discover multiple opportunities.

Brussels Invest & Export, in collaboration with AWEX, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce Belgium-Luxembourg-Arab Countries invites you to participate in a multisectoral economic mission to be held in Amman and Beirut from 7 to 12 May 2018. This action will pay particular attention to the following sectors: infrastructure, construction and decoration, health and consumer products, but is also open to companies from all fields of activity.

Top Reasons to take part of this Economic Mission 'Jordan and Lebanon':

A program of B2B meetings and tailor-made visits is proposed to you according to your desiderata;

You will have the opportunity to participate in networking events with other companies in the delegation and with local actors and decision-makers and to invite professional contacts;

We take care of the practical organization of your travels (selection of hotels, group travel);

We guarantee accompaniment, on-site visits and follow-up of contacts; You benefit from the knowledge of the market of our local team present on the market for many years.

Booking flights and hotels: Each participant is responsible for booking his flights. Brussels Invest & Export will negotiate a preferential rate for the booking of rooms in the hotel selected for the mission.